UGC guide · 5 min read
How to Get UGC Deals With No Following
By Roberto Blake · Last reviewed October 3, 2026 · Part of the First Brand Deal guide
Quick answer
You can get UGC deals with no following because brands pay for the content, which they run on their own channels, not for your audience. Make three to five strong sample videos, put them in a simple portfolio, pitch small brands directly and apply on UGC marketplaces, and price creation and usage rights separately. Never pay a fee to be selected for deals.
What UGC is, and why it works without a following
UGC, or user-generated content, is content a creator makes for a brand to use on the brand's own channels, such as its ads, product pages, and social accounts. The brand is buying creative work that looks and feels like a real customer made it. That is why your follower count matters far less than your ability to make content that is authentic, clear, and persuasive.
It is a legitimate on-ramp for nano and micro creators. You earn paid credits, learn how brands brief and approve work, and build proof for the deals that come next.
Five steps to your first UGC deal
- Pick a lane. Choose a product category you understand and a format, such as product demos, unboxings, testimonials, or tutorial-style clips.
- Make three to five samples. Use products you already own or can buy. Label them as samples, and keep the hook, lighting, audio, and captions clean.
- Build a simple portfolio. One page with your samples, the formats you offer, and your contact details. A link in bio is enough.
- Pitch and apply. Email small and mid-size brands directly with a concrete concept (see the pitch templates), and apply on creator and UGC marketplaces.
- Quote creation and usage separately. See how to price UGC.
Avoid these traps
- Paying to be picked. Legitimate brands and marketplaces do not charge creators a fee to be considered for paid work.
- Free product as full payment for content the brand will run as ads.
- Unlimited usage or perpetual rights with no added fee.
- No written agreement. Even a one-page agreement should state the fee, deliverables, usage window, and payment date.
If you post the brand's product on your own channels, disclose the relationship clearly. See the disclosure guide.
Brand Deals Starter Kit · $99
Start with the UGC playbook
The Starter Kit includes a UGC playbook, a vetted list of 10 UGC marketplaces, a UGC rate card template, and the contract and negotiation tools to go with them.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do UGC with zero followers?
Yes. Brands buying UGC are paying for content they will post on their own channels, so your audience size is not the main factor. Your samples and your pitch are.
Do I need a portfolio before my first UGC deal?
You need a few strong samples. Three to five short examples in your target format, hosted on one simple page, is enough to start pitching.
What is the difference between UGC and influencer marketing?
In influencer marketing the brand pays to reach your audience. In UGC the brand pays for the content itself and uses it on its own channels. A creator can do both.
Is UGC worth doing if I want bigger brand deals later?
It can be. UGC builds paid credits, production skill, and experience with briefs and approvals, all of which transfer to larger sponsorships.
Keep going
- How to Get Your First Brand Deal as a Content Creator
- How Much to Charge for UGC
- Can You Get Brand Deals With a Small Following?
Written by Roberto Blake. Educational content, not legal or financial advice. Cite as: Blake, R., "How to Get UGC Deals With No Following," Awesome Creator Academy, 2026.